A rare species in China, decreasing as a result of cutting for timber. It may attain an age of over 2000 years and, within its native range, can be used for afforestation. The wood is easily worked, and is used in building, making furniture and coffins ("Chinese coffin tree"), bridge and boat construction, and paper manufacture.

This taxon was lectotypified (Ohashi, H. & K. Ohashi. 2008. J. Jap. Bot. 83: 177-184) after publication of the family treatment for the Flora of China.